Angel Stadium. Every few miles, a pier juts out into the ocean, often in spots that the surfers love. ... No prob - Here are 3 things to do in Los Angeles with kids, and I swear you'll have fun at every single one too. The Knott's experience has a bit of a split personality, with old-fashioned spots like the Bottle House standing shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the wildest thrill rides on the West Coast. You'll see fish fly and people driving golf carts instead of cars, but that's only the start. See all available passes, attractions, and prices – learn more. Anaheim is one of the most popular destinations in California thanks to Disneyland. Even the graffiti is larger than life—and the people-watching is top shelf. The other downsides? Your Trip to Los Angeles: The Complete Guide, Graze at the LA Farmers Market and Shop at The Grove, Brave Roller Coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Venice Beach is Southern California's beach scene. Families that work the area into their California itinerary often choose to spend three days there, often leaving them … 1: Lessons at Vans Skatepark- Our Kiddos Favorite Thing To Do in Anaheim! You are about to be redirected to a Disney Website presented in a different language. An hour strolling up and down the beachfront is entertaining to the max. You get the idea. We have reviews of the best places to see in Anaheim. Start with this list of just 12 things to see and do for a visit that will hit the high points of the City of Angels. It's a place where you're likely to find the most expensive luxury cars parked at the curb—and you might even find a celebrity on a shopping spree. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. For kids, check out Discovery Cube and Kidseum. It's about one-third themed rides (Jurassic Park, Revenge of the Mummy, and so on), one-third studio tour, and one-third Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Go far enough north and you'll begin to see what all the fuss is about. California Camping Newport Beach California Newport Coast California Coast California Attractions California Vacation Southern California State Parks San Diego. This entertainment giant offers the fun and excitement of a studio tour alongside the exhilaration of multiple rides, attractions, and exhibits to explore. If you want a taste of the Mediterranean in Southern California, head just off the shore of the city. One of the top alternatives to Disneyland in Los Angeles is Universal Studios Hollywood. Everyone enjoys a little vicarious peek at things rich and famous, and Rodeo Drive delivers an eye-popping dose of it. Tatsu is one of the tallest, fastest, longest flying coasters on Earth. The studio tour takes you through the working studio but with lots of extras created just to entertain visitors. Shelly Wutke August 9, 2013 2. The city’s beloved hockey team, the Anaheim Ducks, has thrilled fans since its creation … Only a few blocks long, the famous part of Rodeo Drive runs between Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards. Don't let outdated guides tell you that Hollywood is dirty and run-down. OK, it's true that Disneyland is technically in Orange County, but it's still a top destination for Los Angeles visitors. Betsy has been writing about California for nearly more than two decades as TripSavvy's expert on the state. Things to do in Los Angeles Besides Disneyland. And because two different businesses run the parking lots, you have to be sure you put your car where you plan to spend money to get parking validation. Graze at the LA Farmers Market and Shop at The Grove. Anaheim, California draws tourists from around the world. Top 5 Things to Do in Anaheim, California Besides Disneyland By Eileen Cotter Wright April 17, 2018 July 18th, 2019 14 Comments If you’d like to save on Disneyland and the other Anaheim attractions in one package, to fully explore, there are other places in Anaheim that can make your trip even more worthwhile and fun, even for families and kids of all ages. Or, if you have little sluggers in the family, take them out to a Los Angeles Angels ballgame. Disneyland earns a spot on this list for its cleanliness, friendly employees, and overall fun factor. At night, it's illuminated by neon lights and an easy place to club-hop without driving around, and the sidewalks are full of party-goers. How To Get From Santa Barbara to Los Angeles, October in Los Angeles: Weather and Event Guide, 48 Hours in Los Angeles: The Ultimate Itinerary, Finding the Best Los Angeles Hotel for You, Made Easy, 19 Fun Things to Do in Los Angeles, California with Teenagers, The Top Theme Parks to Visit While You're in Southern California, Fall in California: Weather and Event Guide, 64 Places for a Weekend Getaway in California, Romance Your Sweetheart in Los Angeles with These 21 Activities, The 10 Best Southern California Family Vacations, How to Find the Best California Theme Park For Your Family. The Santa Monica Bay creates a stretched-out, backward C-shaped shoreline, with most of its beachfront facing west, except Santa Monica and Malibu. Sure, many of them are coming to immerse in all things Mickey Mouse. Growing up in Nor Cal, my family drove down south fairly often to do major theme parks, notably Disneyland. There are other theme park options with more reasonable price tags, and an arguably more unique experience! On the downside, parking can be packed during busy times. Or make a day of it and get your fill of Greek and Roman antiquities in a villa taken right out of the pages of history at the Getty Villa. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Anaheim, California on Tripadvisor: See 63,388 traveler reviews and photos of Anaheim tourist attractions. The LA Farmers Market (once a simple farm stand, where area farmers sold their goods) is a great place to go for people-watching. Walt Disney wanted to create a place where parents and kids could do things together, and Disneyland offers plenty of chances to do just that. Keep in mind that crowds can make it difficult to find a parking spot, and Rodeo Drive is virtually dead after dark. There's little to do at Magic Mountain other than riding roller coasters, especially for younger children—and the only way to shorten your waiting time is to pay extra for the Flash Pass. "being a native of southern california here are some things that you can do. In addition, go on a 75-minute behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium. Get Your Face Painted It also turns you upside down six times in one ride. Crystal Cove State Park. Carolwood Pacific Railroad Company & Walt Disney’s Barn. Or head over to Abbot Kinney Boulevard for boutique shopping and some excellent restaurants. Ever since Sid Grauman built his first movie houses near there and started asking his friends to imprint their hands and feet in wet cement outside his Chinese Theatre, it's been the site of a film fan frenzy. You can wear a funny hat all day and not feel silly about it. Tag Archives: 3 things to do in Los Angeles with kids besides Disneyland. Angel Stadium and the Honda Center are just a few miles east of Disneyland on Katella Avenue. Universal Studios has a well-earned reputation and is especially fun for anyone who loves the movies. And if you don't want to do any of that, just take a kid or two and watch them have fun. Stroll a little way from the busy parts to the pier and walk out over the water for a quiet break—or walk out to the Graffiti Walls to admire some great examples of outdoor art. The most popular things to do in Anaheim with kids according to Tripadvisor travellers are: Disney California Adventure Park; Disneyland Park; Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Unlike other area theme parks, the park doesn't have extra-fee attractions that raise your costs—and it doesn't charge for a line-busting FastPass, either. As the first Disneyland in China, Hong Kong Disneyland is on everyone’s list of the best things to do in Hong Kong.Home to thrilling rides like Hyperspace Mountain and … Huntington City Beach’s world-famous waves make it home to the US Open of... Ride the ferry to Balboa Island. Drive the Malibu Coast. We never left the property. You'll technically still be in Los Angeles County, but you'll feel as if you've stepped onto the coast of Greece when you visit Catalina Island. Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user CrispyCream27 used under CC BY-SA 4.0 Begin your Anaheim... 2. And that's only the beginning. These are my suggestions for things to do in Southern California with kids, beyond Disneyland! First off, this city offers museums like the Orange County Museum of Art and the Bowers Museum. Today, Knott's Berry Farm is a thrill-ride-filled theme park. TripSavvy / Christian Hundley. 5: Find Instagram-Worthy Food at the Anaheim Packing House. Disneyland and the beach are only the beginning of things you can do in California. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ; If you’re a sports fanatic or simply love ballpark food, Angel’s Stadium has something for everyone. The Great Wolf Lodge California is an indoor waterpark resort just a few miles down Harbor Boulevard from Disneyland. One of the simplest pleasures at a Los Angeles beach is a walk or a run, especially in the lively South Bay beach towns—Redondo, Hermosa, and Manhattan Beach. Created to provide tours of Universal Studios' sound stages and famous film sets, the studio tour has evolved into a full-fledged theme park, Hollywood-movie style. You can take in all of the scenery when you drive from Santa Monica to Oxnard in just a few hours on the Malibu coast drive. If you really want to make the most of your Los Angeles vacation, however, you might want to consider attraction options besides the often-pricey Disneyland. Worst of all, parking can be especially hard to find when it's busy, leaving paid parking lots as your only option. Next door to Disneyland is California Adventure, a separate Disney park with a growing collection of rides based on animated films. Nearby you'll find the Hollywood Bowl (the best place for a summer concert), Paramount Studios, the Hollywood Heritage Museum (birthplace of the film industry), and a bunch of other sights. In short: If you're an adrenaline junkie who loves big, fast, screamin' rides, Magic Mountain is the place for you. Things to do in Los Angeles Besides Disneyland Save on Top Los Angeles Attractions. The Golden State is bursting with bright blue ocean views and Disney attractions, but there is actually a lot more to do in California. It's easiest to sum it up this way: Roller coasters. Even the parking lots are upscale on Rodeo Drive—you could easily drive into one of them and think you'd accidentally gone into the entry of a ritzy hotel. The real charm of the island is in its unpretentious, laid-back ambiance, enough to get you chilled out in no time. You'll have bragging rights for surviving some of the most extreme coasters anywhere. Many of the exciting attraction alternatives listed below are included with the Go... Universal Studios Hollywood. It's northwest of downtown and northeast of Beverly Hills. 33 Amazing Things To Do in Anaheim beyond Disneyland. Of course, there are also non-theme park options, too, including a wealth of cultural attractions. Travelers favorites include #1 Disneyland Resort, #2 Anaheim Packing District and more. Celebrity impersonators prowl the sidewalk, posing for photos with the passers-by (for a small tip), and everyone seems to want to check out the hand and footprints at the Chinese Theatre. The beach, Disneyland, Hollywood, and Malibu top the list. Five Fun Family Activities in LA Besides Disneyland and Universal Studios. The Block of Orange Shoppertainment Mall is also in the area. Downtown Disney, a shopping, dining, and entertainment area are next door. Holidays or festivals may bring about special decorations, character meet-and-greet experiences, photo opportunities, special shows and entertainment, plus new experiences that add to the in-park fun and increasing the number of things to do at Disneyland besides rides. If you like thrill rides, this theme park may be for you. 3 Things To Do In Los Angeles With Kids Besides Disneyland. The MLB team actually plays at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. It is, after all, the happiest place on earth! Things to do in Santa Ana Santa Ana is a gem in Orange County – especially their downtown area (aka 4th Street). While that famed amusement park can easily take a day or 2 (or more!) We did the same in 2011, when we visited California for the first time. 3 things to do in Los Angeles with kids. Universal Studios is not in Hollywood proper but in the San Fernando Valley. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. The best things to do in Anaheim? From a visitor's perspective, the Malibu coastline is too scenic for its own good—you'll spend more time than you want to driving past the backs of houses that face the beach. With dozens of food choices, it's especially great for a group of picky eaters who can each choose their own food items. Of note: Some people are put off by the tinge of grunge or alarmed by some of the characters they encounter. Sunset Boulevard runs from downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean through some of Los Angeles' most exclusive neighborhoods. A few downsides to keep in mind: Lines can be long, tickets pricey, and people who like extreme thrill rides may find the park too tame. Chill Out on Catalina Island. During the day, this area is mostly quiet except for people shopping, dining, and wanting to be seen at Sunset Plaza. Forget Mickey Mouse: 10 Things To Do In Anaheim Besides Disneyland - Updated 2020 1. Know that most of the things to do … Top things to do in Anaheim near Disneyland® Park: Knott’s Berry Farm: If you’ve checked off all the Disney® attractions but are craving more adrenaline rushes, head to this old-school theme park for gigantic roller coasters and spinning rides. Her husband, Walter, added a few Old West-themed attractions to entertain visitors. 2: SwingIt Trapeze Lessons. Depending on the time of year you visit, one of the best things to do in Anaheim besides Disneyland is catch either a professional hockey match or a major league baseball game. The 11 best things to do in Anaheim. Spend a Day at Disneyland. Los Angeles boasts miles of beaches—and all of them are open to the public. If you’re looking for a place to park an umbrella and towel (preferably one not taken from your hotel room. Sutter, Initially our first trip to DL was to Just visit the parks. Things To Do in Southern California With Kids And don’t forget to save up to 55% on admission by picking up a Go Los Angeles® Card! We'll be sending you updates and emails shortly - so keep an eye out! Besides Disneyland in Anaheim, there are other amusements very close in Buena Park, Santa Ana, Valencia and San Juan Capistrano. Most rides are on the gentler side, and you'll also find shows, parades, and daily fireworks in summer. Things are different on Catalina, and especially in the town of Avalon, where most visitors go. West of the city of Santa Monica, the beaches run east and west, creating a beautiful setting and making for some great surfing when conditions allow. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. The beach scene is a daytime phenomenon only, and things don't really get going until mid-morning at the earliest. You have to get on a ferry boat to get there, and if you get more excited by city lights than by the sight of a buffalo in the wild, this quiet escape may not be for you. Explore these best attractions, sightseeing spots, fun activities, and other handpicked places to visit in Anaheim on this weekend. Fun fact: Knott's Berry Farm started out as a way to entertain folks who were standing in line for Cordelia Knott's fried chicken dinners. You'll find active beaches lined with volleyball nets, quiet and natural spots, and places to have a meal or take a nap on the sand. If you’re looking to tour L.A. but don’t want to do the same thing everyone else does by visiting Disneyland, consider adding a few of these attraction options to your itinerary. In fact, every part of the stunning state has something to offer. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Anaheim, California on Tripadvisor: See 69,852 traveller reviews and photos of Anaheim tourist attractions.